MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

UTILISING THE LAND. " FOP GROWING ESSENTIAL FOODS. i Ecceived Dec. 21, 9.10 p.m. London, Dec. 20. Jlr. B. E. Prothero (Minister af Agriculture), addressing the agricultural committees in London, Baid the Department had prepared a Bcheme for thc.fullest utilisation of the land, supplying ewry county wjth a list of essential products and the quantities desirable to ferow. A'survey will be carried out in every county, with compulsory acquisition if .necessary. Farmers are empowered to plough grass land. It is proposed v to fix the contract price of wheat at 60s. Count} committees arc to be asked .to ascertain the number oi men in every village willing to- grow potatoes. The jWifr Office has promised it will not call ■up more agricultural workers at present. Mr Prothero hoped similarly to organise an economical scheme of pig breeding. Mr. Prothero will not have any fiddling With maximum and minimum prices. If ; the Wheat prici goes above 60s the farmer, will lose. If it is below lie will gain. The Government will shortly announce the price of oats and barlej. / Received Dec. 21, 8.So" p.m. London, Dec. 20. The Board of Agriculture is urging the increased production of oats, believing 'England could easily produce sufficient lor home requirements.

REDUCTION OF TRAINS. INCREASE OF FARES, deceived Dec. 21, 10 p.m. Reuter Service. London, Doc. 20. ' In the House of Commons. Mr. n. Roberts (Secretary of the Board of Trade) announced that railway passenger fares oh January 1 would be increased by 50 per cent., except workmen's and season ticketis up to fortv miles. There would also be restriction of the passenger service. - IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. SHOICE GIVEN THE DOMINIONS. Received Dec. 21, g p.m. r , London, Dec. 20. It is understood that the Dominions ■will have the ehoice between a formal Imperial Conference and the establishment of a Dominions War Board in London, with direct representation in the War Cabinet.

Mr. Walter Long (Colonial Secretary), speaking at the annual meeting oi Ike Empire Parliamentary Association, said lie believed there was a unanimous desire on the part of the Home and overseas Governments to summon an Imperial Conference. The time of holding it will largely depend upon the Dominions themselves. Their uovernmrnts were engaged in work as strenuously as the Imperial Government. The links binding ,'Britain and the Empire were now strong chains as a result of their common difficulties and dangers. If all brought united courage, determination, and generous minds to the task, they would evolve the greatest and strongest and the, most self-reliant Empire the world had seen. The probability of an early Imperial Conference is the topic of discussion in ■•qlonial circles.

ADDITIONAL MILLION MEN. Received Dec. 21, 11.40 p.m. ~ London, Dec. 21. The House of Commons adopted the additional million men for the army. Mr. MaePherson (Under-Secretary for War) explained the increase was necessary owing to the inclusion of the colonial forces in the regular army. MOBILISATION. OF LABOR. ■■■ Received Dec. 21, 8.5 p.m. London, Dec. 20. Mr. Lloyd George has secured trade unionist approval for the Mobilisation of Labor Bill, which is necessary to give effect to his iproposals. The only opposition expected is from the extreme •ynJVealirts and pacifists. A PIELD PUNISHMENT UPHELD. i London, December 19. 'Mr. J. I. Macpherson, in the House of Commons, protested against a member describing field punishment No. 1 as "<afttcJfaion." Practically all the gen-' f mil Agreed that this punishment could $$ $? •toHihjrt. Sir Douglas Haig ;■ wnl|Ted that its abolition would lead